Better Call Saul is an upcoming American drama television series scheduled to premiere on AMC on February 8, 2015.[2] The series was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, and is a spin-off of Gilligan's Breaking Bad.[3] Set in 2002, it focuses on the life of small-time lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) six years before his appearance on Breaking Bad, though events during and after the original series will also be explored.[4]

Contents

Production[edit]

Conception[edit]

In July 2012, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan hinted at a possible spin-off series focusing on Goodman.[5]

In April 2013, the series was confirmed to be in development by Gilligan and Gould; the latter wrote the episode that introduced the character.[6] In a July 2012 interview, Gilligan said he liked "the idea of a lawyer show in which the main lawyer will do anything it takes to stay out of a court of law" including settling on the courthouse steps.[7]

Development history[edit]

By July 2013, the series had yet to be green-lit.[8] As negotiations with AMC and Breaking Bad production company Sony Pictures Television continued, Netflix stepped in to provide web syndication.[9] Gould serves as showrunner and Gilligan directed the pilot.[10] Former Breaking Bad writers Thomas Schnauz and Gennifer Hutchison joined the writing staff, with Schnauz serving as co-executive producer and Hutchison as supervising producer.[11] In December 2013, Netflix announced that the entire first season will be available for streaming in the U.S. and Canada after the airing of the first season finale, and in Latin America and Europe shortly after the U.S. series premiere.[12]

In developing the series, the producers considered making the show a half-hour comedy,[6] but ultimately chose an hour-long format more typical of drama.[7] In October 2014, Odenkirk called the show "85 percent drama, 15 percent comedy."[13] During his appearance on Talking Bad, Odenkirk noted that Saul was one of the most popular characters on the show, speculating that the audience likes the character because he is the program's least hypocritical figure, and is good at his job.[14]Better Call Saul will also employ Breaking Bad '​s signature time jumps.[15]

As filming began on June 2, 2014[16] Gilligan expressed some concern regarding the possible disappointment from the series' turnout, in terms of audience reception.[17][18]

On June 19, 2014, AMC announced that it renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes to premiere in early 2016, with the first season to consist of 10 episodes, and that the series premiere had been delayed to early 2015.[19] The first teaser trailer debuted on AMC on August 10, 2014, and confirmed its premiere date of February 2015.[20] In November 2014, AMC announced the series would have a two-night premiere; the first episode will air on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 10:00 pm (ET), and then will move into its regular time slot the following night, airing Mondays at 10:00 pm.[2]

Casting[edit]

Bob Odenkirk stars as Saul Goodman, the titular character of the show. In January 2014, it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his Breaking Bad role as Mike Ehrmantraut and be a series regular.[24]Aaron Paul announced having had "serious talks" with Gilligan for possible guest appearances,[25] but later told The Huffington Post it was not going to happen.[26]Dean Norris, another Breaking Bad alumnus, announced that he would not be appearing, partly due to his involvement in the CBS series Under the Dome.[27]Anna Gunn also mentioned a "talk" with Gilligan over possible guest appearances.[28]

Cast and characters[edit]

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, whose real name is Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer looking for his destiny.[33] When preparing to portray Saul in Breaking Bad, Odenkirk said he based the character on film producer Robert Evans, stating, "I thought about Robert Evans because I've listened to The Kid Stays in the Picture on CD. He's constantly switching up his cadence and his delivery. He emphasizes interesting words. He has loads of attitude in almost every line that he says. So when I rehearse the scenes alone I do my impersonation of Robert Evans to find those moments and turns. Then I go out and I do Saul."[34]